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Members of IRGCs Quds Force are weary of the fight with Israeli forces at Golan Heights and are selling military intel to Israel, a recently-leaked document shows.

Minutes of a meeting of senior clerics and Revolutionary Guard commanders with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, leaked to media last week, suggest that the economic and political situation in Iran has made the Islamic Republicsforces sell information about Quds Force operations to Israel, and that more and more elements are seeking to leave the battlefield in Syria and get jobs and positions inside the country.

The44-page document contains citations of remarks by 45 IRGC commanders and clerics at a meeting at Khameneis office on January 3 on the anniversary of the death of Quds Force commander, Qassem Soleimani, who was killed by the US three years ago.

Almost all the participants spoke about the current wave of antiregime protests that has engulfed the country since September last year. The meeting, held more than three months into the protests, focused on the negative impact of the protests on the morale of forces under the command of the IRGC and their burn-out, with several offering anecdotal accounts of insubordination.

The document indicates that officials are shocked by the large scale and duration of the protests and admit that they do not have the means to quell the uprising. The participants also acknowledged massive defections and desertions among themilitary forces and clerics, mainly due to the unrelenting economic woes as well as in protest to the heavy-handed crackdown by security forces and harsh sentences by the judiciary.

IRGC Commander Rahim Noi Aghdam (right) and former Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani

Rahim Noi Aghdam, who served as the commander of IRGCs Zeynab operational headquarters in Syria, said during the meeting that the Quds Force "faces many problems" in the border areas of Israel and the Golan Heights. He mentioned Israel's "non-stop" bombings and "inability of quick access to the supplies of Iran's allied forces in this region" as some of the problems, adding that economic hardships and the ongoing protests have also led to "ideological issues and family problems" among the ranks of the forces.

He said that "leaks of operational plans has reduced the edge of Iranian forces against Israelis, adding that "pre-emptive attacks by Israeli forces in five operations showed us that the issue of infiltration... and the forces unwillingness to remain at Israel's borders have made them do unimaginable things, such as selling military intel.

Noi Aghdam added that if the Islamic Republic loses the areas that it has gained "with years of effort" outside its borders, "a practical threat to the Islamic Republic regime will not be unimaginable."

Other attendees also talked about the desertions and disobedience within their forces, with Abdollah Haji-Sadeghi, Khameneis representative in the IRGC, saying that there is no doubt about desertions. He said that different security organizations of the country have reported varying figures, from 12 percent to 68 percent of desertions.

Khodarahm Sarani, the IRGCs commander in the city of Zahedan -- the provincial capital of Sistan-Baluchestan province that is home to Iran's Sunni Baluch minority of up to two million said the demands of the people there are basic such as water and basic necessities. He added that remarks by their Sunni leader Mowlavi Abdolahamid have united the residents, making them leave aside their sectarian differences and focus on popular demands.

A sample page of the leaked document

Sarani then made a direct attack on the secretary of Irans security council Ali Shamkhani who was present at the meeting. When an officer under my command comes to my office and shows the watch worn by Mr. Shamkhani's son and tells me that the price of this watch is equal to four years of my service inthe armed forces, how can I answer?

We cannot always blame the problems on the enemy, yes, we are under sanctions, but the country's income is not low. If there are problems in the country, then how come these problems do not show themselves at the level of military commanders, he added.

Continued here:
IRGC Losing Edge In Iran And Region Leaked Document -

As the Iranian year was coming to an end on March 20, some local media presented a more than disappointing assessment over the performance of the parliament.

The election for the next parliament (Majles) is less than 11 months from now, and the current parliament, whose members call themselves "revolutionaries" has had no achievement to be proud of.

Khabar Online website in Tehran summarized the "radical parliament's" track record saying that the Majles was "unable to meet the society's demands and incapable of supervising the government's performance or holding it accountable for shortcomings the media have been complaining about on a daily basis.

According to the website, lawmakers have failed to address issues such as the the economic hardship people face, the fall of the Iranian currency, deadlock in the country's foreign policy, international isolation, inefficiency of local governors and other officials including cabinet ministers. They have not been able to impeach any minister although they talked about it every single day.

The Majles has not been able even to make the government accountable for the promises given to the people. Nor the Majles asked any serious questions about why the government has not been able to control inflation.

Prices of cars, houses and rents have been constantly on the rise, turning necessities into dreams for citizens. Journalists in Iran tweeted that in some areas people buy their daily bread on credit from neighborhood bakeries, promising to pay at the end of the month.

When at one point in February the US dollar rose to 600,000 rials, Vice President Mohammad Mokhber told the Majles that he cannot do anything about it and lawmakers "can take it or leave it." Parliament simply listened to Mokhber and took no action.

President Ebrahim Raisi with Hardliner supporters in parliament during his inauguration in August 2021

During the year, most proposed bills ended in controversy and remained inconclusive. Here are some examples:

Hijab

While opposition to compulsory hijab was the one of the root causes of the uprising that shook the country for more than five months, the Majles discussed a bill that called for sending text message threats to women and freezing their ID cards and closing their bank accounts as well as forcing them to pay a fine for not wearing their headscarves "properly". They seemed not to care that this was exactly why Mahsa Amini was murdered in police custody.

Women

Another controversial bill proposed to restrict women's freedom to travel abroad, demanding that all women should have the consent of their husband, father or grandfather for a travel permit. Apart from everything else, those who drafted the bill failed to realize who would sign the permit for an 80-year-old woman who has no husband or father. After several denials by lawmakers, no one still knows if the bill has gone any further.

Documenting Crimes and Brutality

As photos and videos of police brutality during the protests went viral on social media, the parliament approved that filming such scenes is strictly prohibited. The bill even called for harsh punishment for anyone who circulated such images on social media or sent them to foreign-based media. Those breaking the law could be charged with colluding with the enemy and acting against national security, the bill stipulated.

"Fake" News

Another controversial bill called for prosecution of anyone who posted any "false" story on social media. The bill said that courts, which are in fact controlled by intelligence agencies, are the authority to determine if a news story was fake. Basically, the bill meant that any account of events different from the official version is punishable.

Other similar bills included barring university students from travelling abroad as a punishment for taking part in protests, as well as controversial attestations that forced government employees to learn to recite the Koran.

While these bills backed by hardliners may not have majority support, supporters can get them passed at the opportune moment. Meanwhile, the parliament has not tackled any legislation to alleviate the financial hardships endured by citizens.

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Media In Iran Slam Performance Of Hardliner Parliament -

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The Iran-Saudi Arabia agreement to restore diplomatic relations signals a major de-escalation between the two bitter rivals. However, the manner in which this deal came about raised more questions than the rapprochement itself. The agreement was brokered by China and signed in Beijing, thus signaling a significant shift in power alignments in the Middle East.

Historically, most of the accords in the Middle East have been either mediated or sponsored by the United States. Given the significant geostrategic and economic value of the region, these accords primarily between Israel and Arab states not only reflected the immense U.S.influence but also showcased Washingtons primacy in the region. Many have thus already described the recent development as a power shift, with China emerging as a significant player in the Middle East, replacing the U.S.

Though the resumption of diplomatic ties between the two Middle Eastern nations may not lead to a dramatic change in the regional security equation, the optics of Beijing playing an effective mediatory role between these long-time adversaries will surely raise Chinas status as a regional political player. In due course, other countries in the Gulf and beyond may begin seeing China as a more reliable mediator than Washington.

The ease with which China has filled the vacuum created by the United States falling political and economic engagement with the Middle East, some experts argue, would eventually catapult Beijing to global hegemony. However, global hegemony, as John Mearsheimer would argue, may prove to be an unattainable goal; more realistically, political influence over the Gulf may help China realize its regional ambitions. Regional hegemony would effectively enable China to neutralize its peer competitors in other regions too.

Get briefed on the story of the week, and developing stories to watch across the Asia-Pacific.

But having China as a regional hegemon in Asia would not augur well for Indias geostrategic ambitions.

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The announcement of the rapprochement was significant on two other accounts. First, it timed to coincide with the beginning of Xi Jinpings unprecedented third term as the president of China, which reflected his complete grip on the party and thus laid to rest rumors about any simmering dissent. Second, it laid bare Chinas geopolitical ambitions of seeking political influence in the Middle East, something which Beijing always denied in the past. China has repeatedly declared that its interests in the Middle East are only economic. Some believe that it is only a matter of time before Beijing establishes a military presence in the region. This deal, therefore, comes with a huge red flag for India and raises important geopolitical and strategic questions for New Delhi.

Indias response to the recent Iran-Saudi Arabia rapprochement has so far been muted, and some experts have termed this silence disquieting. The question is, what should Indias official response be? No democracy can openly show hostility toward a peace initiative, even when brokered by an adversary. India has traditionally welcomed any reestablishment of diplomatic ties between these two nations. India also openly welcomed the agreementlast yearbetween the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iran to resume the exchange of ambassadors.

New Delhi, it seems, is patiently watching events unfold and has rightly not been hasty in dismissing the Chinese initiative. On the whole, Indian interests in the Gulf would plausibly be more secure if the two bitter rivals were actively working to de-escalate mutual tensions. India, among other countries, also gained from the2001 security agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which prevented active conflict for 10 years despite deep mutual mistrust.

Iran was one of the primary oil suppliers to India, making up 11 percent of the total oil imports, up until 2019, when the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Iran after revoking the nuclear deal. India stopped its oil imports from Iran, and this significantly impacted Indias energy sufficiency, adding strain to the domestic economy.

At the same time, Indian and Chinese interests in the Gulf have the potential to be in conflict. Like India, China is a major importer of Saudi oil. Chinese oil imports from Iran are substantial, whereas Iran has traditionally been a major hydrocarbon supplier for India. A China-friendly Middle East would give Beijing leverage to manipulate Indias interests, besides greatly boosting Chinas Belt and Road investments and its African ambitions.

Moreover, in the realpolitik sense, increasing Chinese influence in the Middle East may indirectly help Pakistan, both economically and strategically. Given the close relationship between Islamabad and Beijing, China may advocate Pakistans case and influence rich Gulf countries to help ease Pakistans financial woes. In such a scenario, the Middle East under Chinas sphere of influence may fundamentally undermine Indias commercial and security interests.

Despite all this, the current developments may strangely create an opportunity for India to project itself as a more effective alternative to China. The hesitance of the United States to spend more political capital on mediating conflicts in the Middle East creates an opportunity for others to fill this space. Some would argue that China has already or is beginning to fill this vacuum. However, given Indias long-standing relationships with most of the Gulf states, it has a clear edge over China to become a more reliable partner and mediator. The large Indian diaspora in the Middle East is a formidable asset that provides India with a unique soft power advantage. This diaspora can act as a steadfast anchor in relations, irrespective of policy shifts and external shocks.

Moreover, given the potential tilt in the balance of power with the rise of China in the gulf region, the United States would inevitably put its weight behind any Indian effort as a future peacemaker in the Gulf.

Another added advantage for India is its growing cooperation with Israel. The I2U2 partnership between India, Israel, the UAE, and the U.S. has already put India on the regions alliance canvas. New Delhi has strong motivations to push I2U2 as it seeks to reframe its relationship with the Middle East and gain a bigger footprint in the region. New Delhi can leverage its de-hyphenated stance in the Middle East to act as a bridge between Arab states and the Jewish nation.

Indian and Chinese interests in the Gulf could become mutually exclusive if China restricts its ambition to the economic domain, something which China has publicly maintained. Indian interests will be compromised if China intends to use the Gulf region for its force projection. India needs to patiently assess if Chinas growing involvement in the Gulf is detrimental to its long-term security interests and the regional balance of power. At the same time, recent developments also provide a window of opportunity for India to embed itself as a significant player in the Middle East.

Excerpt from:
China's Role in the Iran-Saudi Deal May Not Be All That Bad for India - The Diplomat

Iran will continue its attempts to harm Israelis around the world, especially in the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean, the National Security Council (NSC) warned on Monday.

In its guidance for Israeli travelers ahead of the Passover holiday, the NSC emphasized that Iran and its proxies present a particular threat in countries neighboring Iran, including the United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Bahrain.

Cyprus and Greece, popular holiday destinations for Israelis, are also countries where Iran is likely to target Jews and Israelis, according to the assessment.

The NSC did not warn against travel to these destinations, but instead called on Israelis to be aware, to act responsibly in accordance with the level of danger in the country being visited.

The NSC lists Muslim partners Turkey, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt as Level 3 threats, meaning that all non-essential travel should be avoided.

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Iranian plots have been foiled in several of these countries over the past year. In November last year, Georgian security officials foiled an attempt by a Pakistani citizen to murder an Israeli in Georgia on orders from an Iranian operative.

In July, Turkish forces foiled an attempt by Iranian agents to kill Israelis in Istanbul, arresting three men.

The news came a month after the Mossad spy agency and its local counterparts managed to thwart three Iranian attacks targeting Israeli civilians in Istanbul. Iran denied the allegations.

Members of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stand in front of Shahab-3 missile which is displayed during the annual al-Quds Day rally in Tehran, Iran, April 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Also in June, security forces in Thailand were reportedly successful in preventing an Iranian agent from establishing a terror cell in the country and potentially carrying out attacks against Israelis.

In October 2021, Israel said that an Iranian plot against Israeli businessmen in Cyprus had been foiled.

There have also been warnings by Israeli officials about Iranian terrorist infrastructure in Western Europe. Ahead of the high holidays last year, security officials said that several Iranian attempts to attack dissidents had been uncovered in Europe, indicating the regime has infrastructure and personnel in place that could be directed against Israelis.

There were activities in Western Europe and Scandinavia against opposition figures, and also reports of activities against American officials on European soil, a security source told Ynet last year.

Turkish authorities arrest an alleged Iranian cell that sought to target Israelis in Istanbul on June 23, 2022. (Screen capture/CNN Turkey)

Iran and Israel have been engaged in a decades-long shadow war across the Middle East and beyond.

In the past year, attempts by Iranian terror operatives to establish contact (using a business cover/disguise) with Israeli citizens, in Israel and abroad, has continued, the 2023 report read, in order to extract them to carry out an attack or to kidnap them.

The NSC also warned that Sunni jihadist groups like Islamic State and al-Qaeda have been increasing calls lately to strike Jews and Israelis around the world.

Israeli tourists at Ras Sheitan in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, on April 5, 2021. (Jacob Magid/Times of Israel)

Tens of thousands of Israelis head to Egypts Sinai Peninsula over the Passover holiday every year. The report warned them to remain in recognized tourist areas secured by Egyptian forces.

Passover beings on the evening of April 5 and runs through the evening of April 13.

The NSC also pointed out that the Muslim holy month of Ramadan coincides with Passover this year: Unusual security incidents across Judea and Samaria, Jerusalem (and the Temple Mount), and Israel could, as in the past, influence heightened motivation to carry out attacks against Israelis abroad.

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Israel warns Passover travelers of Iranian plots to harm them abroad - The Times of Israel

TEHRAN, March 23 Mohammad Javad enters a fashionable shop in well-to-do north Tehran with his mother. For the first time ever he wants a necktie, long banned in Iran as a symbol of Western decadence.

The 27-year-old dentist said he opted for this clothing accessory in hopes of looking his best during the first meeting with his future in-laws.

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"In our society, wearing a tie is like wearing a mask before Covid-19 hit, he said as the salesman adjusted his suit. "People would look at you differently because the negative view still remains.

"I think a man looks chic with one. Unfortunately, we Iranians have imposed strange and unnecessary restrictions on ourselves. Itll take time for that to change, but hopefully it will.

Dress rules have stoked strong passions in Iran, especially restrictions on women who have long been required to wear modest clothing and headscarves.

Iran was gripped by unrest, labelled "riots by the authorities, after the September 16 death in custody of Iranian Kurd Mahsa Amini, 22, following her arrest for an alleged violation of the countrys strict dress code for women.

Iran banned the tie for men after the 1979 overthrow of the US-backed monarch as a symbol of Western culture. Although it has made a slow comeback since, government officials and most Iranian men continue to shun the cravat.

The upmarket Zagros shop on the capitals Nelson Mandela Boulevard however displays rows of ties in different colours and in wool, cotton or silk.

"We sell around 100 a month, said deputy store manager Mohammad Arjmand, 35. "We import them mostly from Turkey, but some are also made in Iran.

"Customers buy them for ceremonies or for work. In this neighbourhood, you will find that two out of 10 people wear one. These days more people are wearing ties compared with previous decades.

The recent unrest "had no effect on our sales, said branch manager Ali Fattahi, 38. "Our customers who were wearing ties before still do so and come to us regularly to buy new ones.

Sign of decadence

Irans Shiah clerics who came to power in 1979 banned the tie because, in their eyes, it was un-Islamic, a sign of decadence, a symbol of the cross and the quintessence of Western dress imposed by the shah, said one trader who asked not to be identified.

After vanishing for decades, ties reappeared in some shop windows during the era of reformist president Mohammad Khatami from 1997 to 2005.

Today, government ministers, senior civil servants and heads of state-owned companies dont wear ties with their suits and opt for shirts with buttoned, open or Mao collars.

Lawyer Masoud Molapanah said "wearing a tie is certainly not a crime under the constitution or Islamic sharia law. "But there are dress restrictions in certain places such as on television.

Javad, while choosing his tie, was accompanied by his chador-clad mother, who not only encourages him to wear one but also asked the salesmen to teach her how to tie it properly for her son.

"At one time, some sought to remove it, said the 50-year-old state employee, with a smile. "The reason given was the rejection of any sign of Westernisation.

"But then it would have been necessary to also remove the suit and return to the traditional dress worn at the time of the Qajar dynasty of 1794-1925, she said, adding this "was obviously impossible.

Ties give prestige

The head of a nearby Pierre Cardin store, Mehran Sharifi, 35, said many young people now are enthusiastic about the necktie.

"Ties give prestige to people a lot of people buy them, said this son and grandson of a tailor, pointing to a century-old photograph on the wall of his grandfather wearing a tie.

"Customers come to buy suits and we match ties to their choice of clothing. Others buy them as a gift.

In some classy cafes, the black tie or bowtie are part of the uniform of waiters, and doctors in several Tehran districts have also sported ties.

The fashion accessory is almost compulsory for Iranians working at embassies and in some foreign companies, although most remove it when they go out on the street.

Sadeq, 39, employed at the Japanese embassy, said he puts on his tie when he gets to work "because wearing a tie in public is not very common in Iran.

"If you dress up like that and walk in the street, youll definitely turn a few heads. People will think youre either a foreigner or someone headed to a very formal meeting with foreigners. AFP

See the rest here:
Once banned, now back: Iran sees timid return of neckties - Malay Mail